Trakai is a small historic town west of Vilnius, surrounded by lakes and wooded landscapes in southeastern Lithuania. Its most recognizable landmark is Trakai Island Castle, a red-brick fortress built on an island in Lake Galvė and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. The town itself is set between several lakes, including Lake Galvė, Lake Totoriškės, and Lake Luka, giving its streets and waterfront a distinctly waterside setting.

Piombino is a coastal city on a promontory in southern Tuscany, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its position on the Etruscan Coast has shaped both its history and its modern identity, with a working port, maritime traditions, and access to beaches and protected coastal areas. The historic center occupies the older part of the promontory, where medieval and Renaissance buildings stand within sections of the former defensive walls.

Coimbra, set along the banks of the Mondego River in central Portugal, is a historic city known for its academic legacy and old-world charm. Once the medieval capital of Portugal, it is home to the University of Coimbra, one of the oldest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wheeling is a historic city in northern West Virginia, set along the Ohio River near the state’s border with Ohio. Its location made it an important transportation and manufacturing center, with the National Road, railroads, and river traffic all contributing to its growth. Today, Wheeling combines a compact downtown with historic neighborhoods, riverfront parks, cultural venues, and extensive recreation areas.

Raleigh is the capital of the state of North Carolina; located in the east central part of the state. It is home of the largest research park in the country, Research Triangle Park. Visit some of Raleigh's many universities, parks, museums and galleries, including the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Art